The State University of New York
(University) Board of Trustees approved the creation of the title of SUNY Associate
to recognize the indispensable, voluntary (and uncompensated) labor on behalf of the
University by persons who provide extensive services that support the official duties
of the campus presidents and the chancellor.

The SUNY Associate program is governed
by the same statutory and regulatory provisions that apply to all University and state
agency volunteer programs; for example, coverage under the New York State Worker’s
Compensation Law; protections available under the defense and indemnification provisions
of the New York State Public Officers Law when the Associates are performing their
duties and responsibilities as assigned by the campus president or the chancellor;
and the reporting by the campus of information about the Associates for inclusion
in the roster of volunteers maintained by the University’s system administration.

Policy

Upon recommendation of a campus president, the chancellor
may approve the designation of an individual, usually the president’s spouse,
as a SUNY Associate of the president; and upon consultation with the chair of the
Board of Trustees, the chancellor may designate an individual, usually the chancellor’s
spouse, as a SUNY Associate of the chancellor. As a SUNY Associate, the individual
would participate in an official volunteer program of the University. Designation
as a SUNY Associate carries no expectation of salary.

The designation of SUNY Associate
recognizes the voluntary contributions of individuals who provide the University with
substantial and valuable services, which support the official duties of the campus
president or chancellor. Such services include planning of and participating in meetings,
workshops, conferences, University activities, alumni and fund raising events, faculty/student/staff
activities; hosting of University events in an official capacity; and, where appropriate,
management of an official University residence, including supervision of employees
assigned to the residence, and escorting and transporting of official University guests.
Services and responsibilities of SUNY Associates may include other activities, which
are clearly in support of the official duties of, and are assigned by, the campus
president or chancellor. The University, to the extent feasible, will provide recognition
and support services to assist those so named in the execution of their duties. The
designation of SUNY Associate is not automatic, but is conditional on the nominee’s
significant involvement in and responsibility for the conduct of the activities noted
above.

An individual named as a SUNY Associate
becomes a member of the campus’s volunteer program and shall receive:

1. a University
identification card, which will provide access to University libraries and other facilities,
in accordance with campus procedures;

2. coverage for an injury arising out
of the course and scope of SUNY Associate service, to the extent available to volunteers
in accordance with the New York State Workers’ Compensation Law; (See Related
Information);

3. to the extent available to volunteers,
defense and indemnification under New York State Public Officers Law §17 (Section
17) (See Related Information) with respect to claims resulting from acts or omissions
in the services specifically performed as a SUNY Associate, except where the injury
or damage resulted from intentional wrongdoing (Section 17 coverage is not available
for incidents arising while volunteers are engaged in activities which are not part
of their services as SUNY Associates. Decisions on defense coverage under section
17are made on a case-by-case basis as incidents arise by the office of the NYS attorney
general. Decisions on indemnification are similarly handled but also include review
by the chancellor and the office of the NYS comptroller);

4. an official business card bearing
the seal or logo of the campus, the name of the SUNY Associate and the SUNY Associate
title; and

5. access to parking permits, where
applicable, for use at University-owned facilities in accordance with campus parking
regulations.

State University of New York Board
of Trustees Resolution, 91-195, adopted on October 16, 1991.

History

Memorandum to presidents from the
office of the chancellor dated January 27, 2004 regarding SUNY Associates.

Memorandum to presidents from the
office of the senior vice chancellor for administrative affairs, 91-6, dated December
31, 1991 regarding the policy and guidelines for the designation of SUNY Associates.

The State University of New York
Board of Trustees Resolution, 91-195, adopted on October 16, 1991.